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early 60s/ late 60,s 318
#1690570
10/25/14 11:48 PM
10/25/14 11:48 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 894
Connecticut, USA
sixty7gtx
OP
super stock
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OP
super stock
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 894
Connecticut, USA
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Is the wide block 318 better than the late 60,s 318? I am looking for Features and benefits of both? Is one better than the other?????
Thanks,,
Last edited by sixty7gtx; 10/26/14 12:01 AM.
1967 Plymouth GTX,
1968 HEMI, 4 Spd. Super Bee,
2010 Chrysler 300 Touring,
MOPAR = Machines Of Performance And Racing!!
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Re: early 60s/ late 60,s 318
[Re: sixty7gtx]
#1690571
10/26/14 12:18 AM
10/26/14 12:18 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,941
Holly/MI
Dean_Kuzluzski
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,941
Holly/MI
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There's too much aftermarket selection of cylinder heads to the 67 & later (LA) 318 to deny it's a better choice than the Poly 318.
R.I.P.- Gary "Coop" Davis 02/09/68-05/13/04
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Re: early 60s/ late 60,s 318
[Re: Dean_Kuzluzski]
#1690572
10/26/14 12:54 AM
10/26/14 12:54 AM
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,110
Western Md.
skicker
"The Champ"
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"The Champ"
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,110
Western Md.
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The only advantage to the wide block was that it had a steel crank. The LA platform is a better choice overall. 
...FAFO...
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Re: early 60s/ late 60,s 318
[Re: skicker]
#1690574
10/26/14 02:05 AM
10/26/14 02:05 AM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 14,889
up yours
Supercuda
About to go away
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About to go away
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 14,889
up yours
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There is no such thing as a wide block 318. The blocks are virtually identical. LA 318's could also have been had with a forged crank. The poly 318's biggest draw back is lack of a 4bbl intake availability and lack of head development. Chrysler power is the only aftermarket people, that I know of, working with the old poly http://chryslerpower.com/webstore/Poly
They say there are no such thing as a stupid question.
They say there is always the exception that proves the rule.
Don't be the exception.
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Re: early 60s/ late 60,s 318
[Re: Supercuda]
#1690575
10/26/14 12:08 PM
10/26/14 12:08 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,941
Holly/MI
Dean_Kuzluzski
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,941
Holly/MI
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Correct me if I'm wrong.....and I know someone will....
"LA" was Chrysler term for "Low Deck A-motor". Hence an "A-motor" taller deck would mean a wider deck and NOT the same as the LA motor?
When retrofitting an LA motor with Poly heads will a factory intake fit?
R.I.P.- Gary "Coop" Davis 02/09/68-05/13/04
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Re: early 60s/ late 60,s 318
[Re: Dean_Kuzluzski]
#1690577
10/26/14 12:16 PM
10/26/14 12:16 PM
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 12,481
Chino Valley
RodStRace
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 12,481
Chino Valley
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Quote:
Correct me if I'm wrong.....and I know someone will....
"LA" was Chrysler term for "Low Deck A-motor". Hence an "A-motor" taller deck would mean a wider deck and NOT the same as the LA motor?
When retrofitting an LA motor with Poly heads will a factory intake fit?
I heard it was "LATE A" (LA) Engine.
This http://www.allpar.com/mopar/318.html
says L=Lightweight
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Re: early 60s/ late 60,s 318
[Re: Cab_Burge]
#1690584
10/27/14 11:40 AM
10/27/14 11:40 AM
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Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 416
Georgia
KingTuna
mopar
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mopar
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 416
Georgia
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As others have said, the poly is not cheap to build. If you can find a good running one I'd say go for it. Mine has good power running on 7 cylinders as the # 8 cylinder has no valve seat left on the exhaust due to unleaded gas. I had a Weiand intake and those run you around 400 or so on fleabay nowadays.
2014 Ram 1500 Pentastar V6
1966 Fury II 4 door
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Re: early 60s/ late 60,s 318
[Re: KingTuna]
#1690585
10/27/14 01:55 PM
10/27/14 01:55 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,376
dogdays
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,376
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The stock 2-barrel Poly was more powerful than the stock 2-barrel LA 318. I don't care about power or torque ratings, put them both in the same vehicle and point it up a hill, the Poly will get there faster. It has better heads and a bigger camshaft.
Put a Weiand 7503 on it, and the Poly wakes up. Put a 4-barrel intake on the LA motor and it wakes up too.
302-headed 318s will get better mileage than Poly 318s, I went from 15.5 to 20-22mpg.
The problems with the Poly is that it was never developed by the aftermarket as a high-performance engine. Sure, there was a 4-barrel version and a 2-4s version, but the last 4-barrel was in 1962. You'll pay over $500 for a single four stock intake, $300 for a 2-4s intake, and over $400 for the Weiand 7503. There's also the Edelbrock P-600 which is usually drilled for Stromberg 97s, if you're going for the vintage hotrod look.
There's supposedly a new modern intake being produced, but its projected cost is around $600 and I don't know if anyone has actually seen one yet. The foundry being used is Buddy Bar, the same foundry for the HPP aluminum blocks.
Camshafts are strictly custom grind. there are many who will regrind your stock cam. Only one has new cores, that's Camcraft. A new cam from them costs in the neighborhood of $300.
High performance pistons for the Poly will be custom as well, or at least shelf stock from a custom piston manufacturer.
Anyone who worries about forged or cast crank 318s has a screw loose. Neither crank has ever had a strength problem.
Connecting rods are the same in both Poly and early LA motors, the same forging. Piston weights are exactly the same. Timing sets are the same.
SO, if you have an ache to be different and are not looking for the last tenth on your ET, consider the Poly. If you're not afraid to spend nearly $1000 more for the same power output, consider the Poly. If you want to get to know suppliers on a first-name basis, consider the Poly.
I loved my Poly, but the 302-headed 318's better mileage and hydraulic roller cam wins in the end.
The topper: A 5.2 Magnum puts them both on the trailer.
The block deck heights for both Poly and early LA are the same. The "Lowered A" misnomer is actually from one of my posts a long time ago, when I thought the Poly had a 9.700 deck, due to a typo in a book. Funny how things stick around.
R.
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Re: early 60s/ late 60,s 318
[Re: dogdays]
#1690586
10/27/14 02:17 PM
10/27/14 02:17 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 894
Connecticut, USA
sixty7gtx
OP
super stock
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OP
super stock
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 894
Connecticut, USA
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Quote:
The stock 2-barrel Poly was more powerful than the stock 2-barrel LA 318. I don't care about power or torque ratings, put them both in the same vehicle and point it up a hill, the Poly will get there faster. It has better heads and a bigger camshaft.
Put a Weiand 7503 on it, and the Poly wakes up. Put a 4-barrel intake on the LA motor and it wakes up too.
302-headed 318s will get better mileage than Poly 318s, I went from 15.5 to 20-22mpg.
The problems with the Poly is that it was never developed by the aftermarket as a high-performance engine. Sure, there was a 4-barrel version and a 2-4s version, but the last 4-barrel was in 1962. You'll pay over $500 for a single four stock intake, $300 for a 2-4s intake, and over $400 for the Weiand 7503. There's also the Edelbrock P-600 which is usually drilled for Stromberg 97s, if you're going for the vintage hotrod look.
There's supposedly a new modern intake being produced, but its projected cost is around $600 and I don't know if anyone has actually seen one yet. The foundry being used is Buddy Bar, the same foundry for the HPP aluminum blocks.
Camshafts are strictly custom grind. there are many who will regrind your stock cam. Only one has new cores, that's Camcraft. A new cam from them costs in the neighborhood of $300.
High performance pistons for the Poly will be custom as well, or at least shelf stock from a custom piston manufacturer.
Anyone who worries about forged or cast crank 318s has a screw loose. Neither crank has ever had a strength problem.
Connecting rods are the same in both Poly and early LA motors, the same forging. Piston weights are exactly the same. Timing sets are the same.
SO, if you have an ache to be different and are not looking for the last tenth on your ET, consider the Poly. If you're not afraid to spend nearly $1000 more for the same power output, consider the Poly. If you want to get to know suppliers on a first-name basis, consider the Poly.
I loved my Poly, but the 302-headed 318's better mileage and hydraulic roller cam wins in the end.
The topper: A 5.2 Magnum puts them both on the trailer.
The block deck heights for both Poly and early LA are the same. The "Lowered A" misnomer is actually from one of my posts a long time ago, when I thought the Poly had a 9.700 deck, due to a typo in a book. Funny how things stick around.
R.
Thanks for your input,,,,,
1967 Plymouth GTX,
1968 HEMI, 4 Spd. Super Bee,
2010 Chrysler 300 Touring,
MOPAR = Machines Of Performance And Racing!!
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Re: early 60s/ late 60,s 318
[Re: sixty7gtx]
#1690587
10/27/14 08:40 PM
10/27/14 08:40 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,941
Holly/MI
Dean_Kuzluzski
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,941
Holly/MI
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Quote:
Quote:
The stock 2-barrel Poly was more powerful than the stock 2-barrel LA 318. I don't care about power or torque ratings, put them both in the same vehicle and point it up a hill, the Poly will get there faster. It has better heads and a bigger camshaft.
Put a Weiand 7503 on it, and the Poly wakes up. Put a 4-barrel intake on the LA motor and it wakes up too.
302-headed 318s will get better mileage than Poly 318s, I went from 15.5 to 20-22mpg.
The problems with the Poly is that it was never developed by the aftermarket as a high-performance engine. Sure, there was a 4-barrel version and a 2-4s version, but the last 4-barrel was in 1962. You'll pay over $500 for a single four stock intake, $300 for a 2-4s intake, and over $400 for the Weiand 7503. There's also the Edelbrock P-600 which is usually drilled for Stromberg 97s, if you're going for the vintage hotrod look.
There's supposedly a new modern intake being produced, but its projected cost is around $600 and I don't know if anyone has actually seen one yet. The foundry being used is Buddy Bar, the same foundry for the HPP aluminum blocks.
Camshafts are strictly custom grind. there are many who will regrind your stock cam. Only one has new cores, that's Camcraft. A new cam from them costs in the neighborhood of $300.
High performance pistons for the Poly will be custom as well, or at least shelf stock from a custom piston manufacturer.
Anyone who worries about forged or cast crank 318s has a screw loose. Neither crank has ever had a strength problem.
Connecting rods are the same in both Poly and early LA motors, the same forging. Piston weights are exactly the same. Timing sets are the same.
SO, if you have an ache to be different and are not looking for the last tenth on your ET, consider the Poly. If you're not afraid to spend nearly $1000 more for the same power output, consider the Poly. If you want to get to know suppliers on a first-name basis, consider the Poly.
I loved my Poly, but the 302-headed 318's better mileage and hydraulic roller cam wins in the end.
The topper: A 5.2 Magnum puts them both on the trailer.
The block deck heights for both Poly and early LA are the same. The "Lowered A" misnomer is actually from one of my posts a long time ago, when I thought the Poly had a 9.700 deck, due to a typo in a book. Funny how things stick around.
R.
Thanks for your input,,,,,
Yeah, me too! 
I looked through an old '58 Plymouth service manual and couldn't find the spec for the deck height. If, the same as you say, the "Low-deck" was certainly a misnomer. 
R.I.P.- Gary "Coop" Davis 02/09/68-05/13/04
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Re: early 60s/ late 60,s 318
[Re: Dean_Kuzluzski]
#1690588
10/28/14 04:16 PM
10/28/14 04:16 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 8,299
fredericksburg,va
cudaman1969
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 8,299
fredericksburg,va
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Poly pistons had floating pins late 318s no. Poly heads are the reason for the bad lifter angle, good for the poly, bad for late heads. Heaver castings= more meat around cylinders, stronger block. Can you imagine a bb chevy canted valve type head-intake for this little engine?
Last edited by cudaman1969; 10/28/14 04:20 PM.
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Re: early 60s/ late 60,s 318
[Re: cudaman1969]
#1690589
10/28/14 08:27 PM
10/28/14 08:27 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,376
dogdays
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,376
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Early LA 318s indeed had floating pins. They were the same forgings, Poly 318, 273, LA318 until '68 or so. A set just sold on the 'bay for about $26. They weigh 726 grams, which is 100 grams more than a modern aftermarket LA rod weighs.
But the 496 and 645 340/360 rods weigh something like 758 grams, really close to some bigblock non-Mopar rod weights.
Heavier castings in no way ASSURE that the bores are thicker, only that somewhere in the engine there's more iron.
It'd make a lot more sense to dream of a GIII Hemi head on the Poly block, why not go all the way? But why do that when the Hemi is as big and weighs 150lb less?
R.
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Money does carry a lot of the weight in major Corp. decision making 